Queen Máxima

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Máxima Zorreguieta was born in Argentina on 17 May 1971. She is the daughter of Jorge Zorreguieta and Maria del Carmen Cerrutti and grew up in Buenos Aires. After marrying Prince Willem-Alexander, she became Máxima, Princess of the Netherlands, Princess of Orange-Nassau, Mevrouw van Amsberg.

Queen Máxima

On 30 April 2013, when her husband succeeded Queen Beatrix to the throne and became His Majesty King Willem-Alexander, she officially became Queen Máxima. Unlike Prince Claus and Prince Bernhard, the spouses of Queen Beatrix and Queen Juliana, who never became ‘king’. However, Queen Máxima and these princes share the same responsibilities.

Queen Máxima’s life

Máxima enrolled at the Catholic University of Argentina after completing secondary school. After graduating, she worked in New York from 1995 to 2000. She met the Dutch Crown prince at a party in the Spanish city of Sevilla and moved to Brussels less than a year later.

In 2001 Máxima Zorreguieta officially became a Dutch citizen on her birthday. Princess Máxima and Prince Willem-Alexander married on 2 February 2002 at the Beurs van Berlage in Amsterdam. the church ceremony occurred at the Nieuwe Kerk. Due to his part in the regime of Jorge Videla, her father was not welcome at the wedding.

The newly married couple moved into a house on Noordeinde square in The Hague and, in the spring of 2003, moved to villa Eikenhorst on De Horsten Estate in Wassenaar. They have three children: Princess Amalia (7 December 2003), Princess Alexia (26 June 2005) and Princess Ariane (10 April 2007).

Queen Máxima’s work

As King Willem-Alexander’s spouse, Queen Máxima assists the king in fulfilling his tasks as the head of state. In addition to his formal tasks the king is committed to the people of the Kingdom of the Netherlands. He has a unifying, representative and stimulating role.

Queen Máxima fulfils countless social tasks both within the Netherlands and abroad. She also has representative responsibilities, such as representing the Royal Family at official events throughout society. She is also a member of the Council of State.